Bracelet chain construction



Jan. 2, 1951 E. PREs'rlNARl 2,536,391

BRACELET CHAIN CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 20. 1947 `f- ,1mm 5 Patented Jan. 2, 1951 BRACELET CHAIN CONSTRUCTION Eugen Prestinari, Summit, N. J., assigner to Gemex Company, Union, N. J.

Application November 20, 1947, Serial No. 787,072

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a flexible bracelet chain construction and is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 752,127, filed June 3, 1947, now abandoned.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a exible bracelet chain construction of the type in which the links are arranged in staggered relationship. Another object is to provide a con-- struction of the above character which may be made from inexpensive materials and with a minimum of manufacturing processes. Another object is to provide a bracelet chain of the above construction which will be durable and pleasing in appearance. Another object is to provide a bracelet chain of the above construction whose assembly may be accomplished by standard machine oper-ations. Another object is to provide a bracelet chain of the above construction which is well suited for mass production methods of manufacture, Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others, all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention:

Figure l is a top plan view of the bracelet chain as assembled;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of one of the cross links;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the connecting links or ornamental members prior to assembly;

Figure 4 is a perspective viev.r of one of the ornamental members used on the sides of the bracelet chain;

Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of a small section of the bracelet chain during assembly;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the bracelet chain taken along the line 6--6 of Figure 5;

Figure 'Z is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the bracelet chain taken along the line 'I-l of Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged Vertical section of a portion of the bracelet chain taken along the line 8--8 of Figure 6.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawins.

Cil

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the bracelet chain, generally indicated at IU, includes a series of box-like connecting links generally indicated at I i and a series of box-like ornamental members generally indicated at I2, :all arranged in staggered relationship and interconnected in a manner to give desired flexibility to the chain.

Turning now to Figure 5, the bracelet chain includes a series of flat frame-like cross links, generally indicated at I3, which are flexibly inter connected by the connecting links II and also have secured thereto at v-arious points therealong the ornamental members I2. Thus the cross links I 3' which are arranged in alignment act as a foundation for the bracelet and due to the flexibility of the interconnection, the bracelet chain will quickly assume the shape of the wrist of the wearer.

The cross links i3, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, are in the form of a narrow rectangular frame and comprise longitudinal sides I and end p0rtions I5 with upwardly extending tongue portions 9 formed thereon. The projections I6 extend from the sides of the cross links I3 at the end portions thereof. Additionally, the links have intermediate cross bars Il connecting the longitudinal sides at regularly spaced intervals along the length. Projections I8 extend from the longitudinal sides I4 of the cross links op-` posite the cross bars I'I. The cross links I3 are laid side by side in alignment, as shown in Figure 5, in position to be interconnected by the connecting links Il.

As shown in Figure 3, the connecting links Il preferably have dome-shaped tops I9, sides 20 and ends 2l. Prior to assembly, the ends 2l of the connecting links project from the body of the links to form the extensions or tongues 2Ia which later form the bottoms of the links after assembly, as will be described. The sides 20 of the connecting links have cut-out portions or notches 25a divided by a central projecting portion 2Gb forming shoulders Zllc adjacent the eX- tensions Ela in the same plane with the bottom edges of the central projecting portions 2Gb.

The ornamental members I2 used along the sides of the bracelet chain are very similar in construction to the connecting links I I, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, these ornamental members have top portions 22, sides 23 and 24 and ends 25. Like the connecting links, the .ends 25 of the ornamental members have extensions or tongues 25a projecting from the body of the members to later form the bottom portion thereof, as will be 3 described. The inner side 23 of the ornamental members I2 includes cut-out portions or notches 23a separated by a central projecting portion 23h. The shoulders 23o of side 23 are in the same plane as the bottom edges of the side 24 and the central projection portion 23h.

To assemble the bracelet chain, the cross links I3 are laid side by side in alignment, as shown in Figure 5, and, next, the connecting links II are laid upon the long sides I4 of adjacent pairs of cross links with the extensions or tongues 2Ia extending through and beyond the bottom faces of the cross links. Ornamental members I2 are laid on the short ends I5 of the cross links I3 with the sides 24 thereof extending over the ends of the cross links and the extensions or tongues 25a adjacent the projections IE. In this position the central projecting portions 23h of the ornamental members extend into the cross links between the sides I4 thereof and against projections Sand ends I5. Furthermore, the sides I4 of the -cross links extend into the cut-out portions 23a of the ornamental members.

Connecting links H are also used in the bracelet chain for ornamental purposes andy to hold and maintain the connecting links in spaced relationship in the position described above. Thus, connecting links I I fit over the cross links immediately above the cross bars I'I. When in position, these links I I completely cover the cross bars Il while the sides I4 of the cross links rit within the cut-out portions 29a. The ends 2I of these links t over projections I8 of the cross links with the extensions Zia extending beyond `the bottom faces of the cross links.

With all ofthe parts in the position described above, vthe extensions '2Ia and 25a of the links zI I =and the ornamental members I2 are crimped over to form the bottoms of these parts and, hence, assume the positions more clearly shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. More particularly, in this position, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 the extensions 2 I a, are bent toward each other so that they rest on'the shoulders 28o and the bottom edges of theV projecting portions Zilb. Likewise, as shown in Figure 6 the projections 25a of the ornamental members I2 are bent toward each other to rest against the shoulders 23o, the bottom edges of sides .24 and the bottom edges of projecting portions 23h. Thus projections 9 rest against sides 23 to hold the ornamental members against lateral `movement relative to the crosslinks. 'Thiscompletes the assembly of the bracelet andrit will be noted that the links Il now permanently connect the long sides I4 of adjacent pairs of cross links. The links II adjacent the cross bars Il of the cross links as well as the ornamental members I2 on the ends of the cross links are permanently secured in position.

'Ilhe exact position of the parts as finally assembled is shown most clearly in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Considering Figure 6 rst, it will be seen that the sides 24 of the ornamental members I2 face outwardly `to form the outer edges of the bracelet chain and the extensions 25a in their nal position rest against the bottom sides of the end portions I5 of the cross links. The cutout portions 23u01 the sides 23 of the ornamental members fit over the sides I4 of the cross links. Accordingly, the ornamental members I2 are rmly secured in position.

Turning now to Figure 7, the links II can be seen in the positions they occupy for connecting p urposes. Thus, the adjacent sides I4 of pairs of adjacent cross links extend through the cutout portions or notches 20a. of the sides of the connecting links and the central projection portions 2llb are disposed therebetween. The ends 2Ia, having been bent into their nal position, form the bottoms of the connecting links and are adjacent the bottom surfaces of sides I4.

The links II iitting over the cross bars I'I and projections I8 of the cross links I3 assume the positions shown inFigure'B. Thus, the cross bars I'I and projections I8 occupy the entire interior lengths of the links I I. The central projecting portions 201)y extend down over the opposite sides of the cross bars I'I and the extensions 2 Ia, form a base for the cross bars.

Thetops of the links II and the ornamental members I2 may conveniently be dome-shaped and have the same dimensions so that all of these parts will be similar in appearance when assembled in the bracelet, as seen in Figure 1. Thus, the bracelet chain assumes the appearance of a series of dome-shaped links arranged `instaggered relationship but pivotally interconnected to achieve necessary flexibility. Furthermore, the bracelet chain may be easily assembled rby xing a series of cross links in the positionshown in Figure 3, slipping the links II and the ornamental members I2 into positionand bendingthe bottoms into the `nal desired .position as described.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided a thoroughly practical construction and method in which the several objects above referred to are successfullyl accomplished.

Asmany possible embodiments may be madeof the mechanical features of the'above'invention and as the art herein described might be varied in various parts, all without departing from vthe scope of the invention, it-is to be understoodthat all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A ilexible bracelet chain comprising a series of 4ilat-cross links each in the form of a narrow generaly rectangular frame having long sides and short ends with at least one intermediate 'bar extending across the frame from one long side .to the other, said cross links being arranged sideby-side extending transversely with respect to the length Vof the chain with their ends at the sides of the rchain, box-like connecting links pivotally connecting the long sides of adjacent'cross links in the chain, each connecting link having.

a top, sides, ends and tongues extending from said ends, the sides having notches receiving the portions of the long sides of adjacent cross links between the ends and the intermediate bars thereof, the tongues being bent under the long sides of the 'cross links to close the connecting links, members l.substantially identical with the connecting links mounted on the icross links concealing the intermediate bars thereof, said bars being received between the sides of said members, the tongues of the latter being bent under the cross links,'the long sides of the cross links being received in the notches in the sides of said members.

2. A flexible bracelet chain vcomprising a series of iiat cross links each inthe form of a narrow generally rectangular frame having long sides and short ends with at least one intermediate bar extending across the frame from one long side to the other, said cross links being arranged side-by-side extending transversely with respect to the length of the chain with their ends atthe sides of the chain, box-like )connecting links pivotally connecting the long sides of adjacent cross links in the chain, each connecting link having a top, sides, ends and tongues extending from said ends, the sides having notches receiving the portions of the long sides of adjacent cross links between the ends and the intermediate bars thereof, the tongues being bent under the long sides of the cross links to close the connecting links, members substantially identical with the connecting links mounted on the cross links concealing the intermediate bars thereof, said bars being received between the sides of said members, the tongues of the latter being bent under the cross links, the long sides of the cross links being received in the notches in the sides of said members, and additional members substantially identical with the connecting links with the exception that only one of the sides thereof has notches mounted on the cross links concealing the ends of the cross links, said ends of the cross links being received between the sides of said additional members and the tongues of the latter being bent under the cross links, the nothes in the one side of said additional members receiving the long sides of the cross links.

3. A flexible bracelet chain comprising a series of flat cross links each in the form of a narrow generally rectangular frame having long sides and short ends with at least one intermediate bar extending across the frame from one long side to the other, said cross links being arranged side-by-side extending transversely with respect to the length of the chain with their ends at the sides of the chain, box-like dome-shaped connecting links pivotally connecting the long sides of adjacent cross links in the chain, each connecting link having a top, sides, ends and tongues extending from said ends, the sides having l of adjacent cross links between the ends and the intermediate bars thereof, the tongues being bent under the long sides of the cross links to close the connecting links, dome-shaped members substantially identical with the connecting links munted on the cross links concealing the inter- ;mediate bars thereof, said bars being received between the sides of said members, the tongues of the latter being bent under the cross links, the long sides of the cross links being received in the notches in the sides of said members, and additional dome-shaped members substantially identical with the connecting links with the exception that only one of the sides thereof has notches mounted on the cross links concealing the ends of the cross links, said ends of the cross links being received between the sides of said additional members and the tongues of the latter being bent under the cross links, the notches in the one side of said additional members receiving the long sides of the cross links, said cross links being provided adjacent their ends Iwith'jprojections extending into said additional members for engagement by the inner sides of said additional members.

EUGEN PRESTINARI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lfile of this patent:

l, l UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

